An estimate of expected economic losses from satellite collisions with orbital debris. Issue 1 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adilov, Nodir; Braun, Vitali; Alexander, Peter; Cunningham, Brendan
• Is Part Of: Journal of space safety engineering. Volume 10:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Orbital debris -- Collision losses -- Economics of space; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Safety regulations -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Safety regulations -- Periodicals; 629.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsse.2023.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8967

Abstract

Abstract: We estimate the expected annual cost of satellite collisions with orbital debris and find that the expected annual loss for all orbits was $86-103 million in 2020. Nearly all expected losses, $79-102 million, were in LEO, and these losses represent approximately 0.16% of the value of operational satellites in that orbit. Over 70% of losses occurred in the 600-900 km orbital band. Commercial satellites' share of expected losses is approximately one-third of expected total losses. These findings may have implications for policy, in particular relating to the market for active debris removal.